Airports

Uncovering the History and Impact of March Air Reserve Base: A Comprehensive Look at the U.S. Air Force Base in Riverside, California, USA





March Air Reserve Base, located in Riverside, California, USA, is a United States Air Force base that has a long and rich history. It was originally established in 1918 as the March Field Aviation Camp, and named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Peyton C. March Jr., a World War I aviator killed in France. Following World War II, the base was renamed March Air Force Base, and in 1996, it was designated as an Air Reserve Base.

Uncovering the History and Impact of March Air Reserve Base: A Comprehensive Look at the U.S. Air Force Base in Riverside, California, USA
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The base has gone through various changes over the years. In 1941, with the onset of World War II, March Field was used as a training ground for combat crews and for B-25 and P-38 fighter aircraft. During the Vietnam War, the base was used for training, deploying, and housing combat forces, and for a time, it was the home of the 3rd Air Rescue and Recovery Group.

Today, the base is home to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, the Air Force Reserve Command's largest air mobility wing. It is also home to the 944th Fighter Wing, the Air Force Reserve Command's only combat-coded fighter wing.

The airport code for March Air Reserve Base is RIV, which is derived from the city's name, Riverside. The base is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, with an average of over 30 flights a day.





March Air Reserve Base has hosted a number of notable events over the years, including the first transcontinental flight in a single-engine plane, the first flight of the SR-71 Blackbird, and the first Space Shuttle landing. In addition, the base was the site of President Ronald Reagan's historic speech in 1987, in which he called for an end to the Cold War.

Today, the base remains an important military hub, providing air mobility and combat capabilities for the United States Air Force. It is also a major economic engine for Riverside County, providing jobs, services, and economic growth to the region.